Bracebridge Hall

Love-Symptoms

I should not be surprised if we should have another pair of turtles at

the Hall, for Master Simon has informed me, in great confidence, that he

suspects the general of some design upon the susceptible heart of Lady

Lillycraft. I have, indeed, noticed a growing attention and courtesy in

the veteran towards her ladyship; he softens very much in her company,

sits by her at table, and entertains her with long stories about

Seringapatam, and pleasant anecdotes of the Mulligatawney Club. I have

even seen him present her with a full-blown rose from the hot-house, in

a style of the most captivating gallantry, and it was accepted with

great suavity and graciousness; for her ladyship delights in receiving

the homage and attention of the s*x.

Indeed, the general was one of the earliest admirers that dangled in her

train during her short reign of beauty; and they flirted together for

half a season in London, some thirty or forty years since. She reminded

him lately, in the course of conversation about former days, of the time

when he used to ride a white horse, and to canter so gallantly by the

side of her carriage in Hyde Park; whereupon I have remarked that the

veteran has regularly escorted her since, when she rides out on

horseback; and I suspect he almost persuades himself that he makes as

captivating an appearance as in his youthful days.

It would be an interesting and memorable circumstance in the chronicles

of Cupid, if this spark of the tender passion, after lying dormant for

such a length of time, should again be fanned into a flame from amidst

the ashes of two burnt-out hearts. It would be an instance of

perdurable fidelity, worthy of being placed beside those recorded in one

of the squire's favourite tomes, commemorating the constancy of the

olden times; in which times, we are told, "men and wymmen coulde love

togyders seven yeres, and no licours luste swere betwene them, and

thenne was love, trouthe, and feythfulness; and lo in lyke wyse was used

love in Kyng Arthur's dayes."[A]

[Footnote A: Mort d'Arthur.]

Still, however, this may be nothing but a little venerable flirtation,

the general being a veteran dangler, and the good lady habituated to

these kind of attentions. Master Simon, on the other hand, thinks the

general is looking about him with the wary eye of an old campaigner; and

now that he is on the wane, is desirous of getting into warm winter

quarters.

Much allowance, however, must be made for Master Simon's uneasiness on

the subject, for he looks on Lady Lillycraft's house as one of the

strongholds where he is lord of the ascendant; and, with all his

admiration of the general, I much doubt whether he would like to see him

lord of the lady and the establishment.

There are certain other symptoms, notwithstanding, that give an air of

probability to Master Simon's intimations. Thus, for instance, I have

observed that the general has been very assiduous in his attentions to

her ladyship's dogs, and has several times exposed his fingers to

imminent jeopardy in attempting to pat Beauty on the head. It is to be

hoped his advances to the mistress will be more favourably received, as

all his overtures towards a caress are greeted by the pestilent little

cur with a wary kindling of the eye, and a most venomous growl. He has,

moreover, been very complaisant towards the lady's gentlewoman, the

immaculate Mrs. Hannah, whom he used to speak of in a way that I do not

choose to mention. Whether she has the same suspicions with Master Simon

or not, I cannot say; but she receives his civilities with no better

grace than the implacable Beauty; unscrewing her mouth into a most acid

smile, and looking as though she could bite a piece out of him. In

short, the poor general seems to have as formidable foes to contend with

as a hero of ancient fairy tale, who had to fight his way to his

enchanted princess through ferocious monsters of every kind, and to

encounter the brimstone terrors of some fiery dragon.

There is still another circumstance which inclines me to give very

considerable credit to Master Simon's suspicions. Lady Lillycraft is

very fond of quoting poetry, and the conversation often turns upon it,

on which occasions the general is thrown completely out. It happened the

other day that Spenser's Fairy Queen was the theme for the great part of

the morning, and the poor general sat perfectly silent. I found him not

long after in the library with spectacles on nose, a book in his hand,

and fast asleep. On my approach he awoke, slipped the spectacles into

his pocket, and began to read very attentively. After a little while he

put a paper in the place, and laid the volume aside, which I perceived

was the Fairy Queen. I have had the curiosity to watch how he got on in

his poetical studies; but though I have repeatedly seen him with the

book in his hand, yet I find the paper has not advanced above three or

four pages; the general being extremely apt to fall asleep when he

reads.